Comcast/NBC Deal Won't Happen Without Thorough Antitrust Review, Regulators Say: FCC and Justice Dept Vow to Make Sure Competitors and Consumers Are Not Harmed
Comcast's proposed purchase of NBC Universal is getting the full attention of government regulators, who are pledging rigorous reviews to ensure that the acquisition will not stifle competition or harm consumers. Christine Varney, the Justice Department's antitrust chief, and Julius Genachowski, chairman of the FCC, offered no indication at a hearing last week of what the outcome of those reviews could be, but many lawmakers and industry analysts expect regulators to approve the deal with conditions to prevent a combined company from abusing its market power.
The Justice Department will focus its review on the antitrust implications of the deal, while the FCC will look at whether the transaction is in the public interest. The FCC will soon begin accepting public comments to help guide its analysis. Both reviews are expected to last all year or longer. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., called on Varney and Genachowski to ensure that Comcast won't be able to extract higher prices from rival cable TV, satellite, phone and Internet companies for access to its popular video programming — in turn driving up prices for consumers, the AP reports.
"When consolidation occurs in these markets, we need to pay attention," said Commerce Committee chairman John D. Rockefeller, D-W.Va. "When companies swell to include both content and distribution, we need to pay attention. Because it is vitally important that when we have mergers in these markets, consumers cannot be left with lesser programming and higher rates," he added, reports AP writer Joelle Tessler.
BurrellesLuce's Johna Burke interviews Ed Mackey, VP of communications for Goodyear, and Geoff Phelps, VP at Coyne PR, who discuss targeting influencers — and how to work with traditional and social media.
